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Ex-Lowell senator go-to guy for sage advice on politics, budgets

From political campaigns to budget crises, Panagiotakos is go-to guy

By Lyle Moran, lmoran@lowellsun.com

Updated:
03/19/2013 07:37:20 AM EDT

State Treasurer Steven Grossman talks politics and state finances with former state Sen. Steve Panagiotakos during a breakfast meeting at the Owl Diner on Appleton Street in Lowell on Monday. SUN/David H. Brow

LOWELL -- When State Treasurer Steven Grossman paid a visit to the Owl Diner on Appleton Street Monday morning, he was not there just for the blueberry pancakes.

Grossman, who is an eyeing a run for governor, had a meeting set up with former state Sen. Steven Panagiotakos to talk about the fiscal challenges facing the state.

And Grossman is not the only well-known political figure in the state who has paid a recent visit to or attended functions with Panagiotakos.

When U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch was making the rounds at different events at Lenzi's in Dracut earlier this month, it was Panagiotakos who was introducing the U.S. Senate candidate to attendees.

The visits indicate that more than two years after he left office, politicians looking to make inroads in the Merrimack Valley to win statewide office turn to Panagiotakos as the go-to guy for both political support and advice.

Grossman, a Democrat, said he was meeting with Panagiotakos to talk about the challenges the state faces in the coming years to both continue to invest in things like education and transportation, but also not overburden middle- and lower-income families with new fees and taxes.

The state treasurer said he respects how Panagiotakos dealt with similar issues during his time serving on the Senate's budget-writing Ways and Means Committee, so he was eager to pick the Lowellian's brain.

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"You have to have the approach of always respecting the taxpayer, but knowing you need to make some investments to move the state forward and improve the quality of life here," Grossman said. "That's the balancing act, and Steve showed great leadership in doing that for years, so I thought I would come up here and get his advice."

Lynch, a South Boston Democrat running in the U.S. Senate primary against U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, of Malden, said he has sought Panagiotakos' support and guidance because the two "share a common commitment to working on big issues without losing sight of their impact on regular people."

Panagiotakos and Lynch met when they both entered the state House of Representatives together years ago and shared an office space. Lynch also said he appreciates Panagiotakos' unquestioned commitment to the communities he served.

"He truly cares about the people of the Merrimack Valley, and they know and respect him for it," Lynch said in a prepared statement. "This is why, years after leaving public office, Pange is still such a popular and well-respected figure."

Even Gabriel Gomez, the former Navy SEAL running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate, recently called Panagiotakos out of the blue and may set up a time to meet with him.

Those who have worked for Panagiotakos and his friends say they are not surprised top public figures seek out his advice and support.

"He is still popular around here, he has a lot of connections and people like him," said Fred Simon, who used to work on Panagiotakos' Senate staff. "As a candidate, who else would you want around you?"

Simon attributed Panagiotakos' popularity to his accessibility and down-to-earth approach. George Behrakis, a prominent member of the local Greek community and a well-known philanthropist, agreed with Simon's assessment.

"He is a people person," Behrakis said. "He does not play the role. He is not a faker. People like that."

Fred Doyle, a longtime friend of Panagiotakos who has gone through many political campaigns with him, said he thinks the top politicians come to Panagiotakos because he speaks the unvarnished truth and is a man of his word.

"He is honorable and if he tells you something, it will not change tomorrow," Doyle said. "He is the type of guy people should look up to as a politician."

State Sen. Eileen Donoghue, who won Panagiotakos' seat when he did not run for re-election in 2010, has also met with Grossman and Lynch. She said they are wise to seek out her predecessor.

"Steve served in public office for many years and he is active today in his own business," she said. "He covers both sides of the track, so to say."

Panagiotakos attributed the politicians seeking his advice to his prior relationships with them. He also said they respect his political knowledge of the area.

"I have some understanding of the political terrain up here," Panagiotakos said.

The former senator said he has enjoyed meeting with Grossman, Lynch and others, as well as taking candidates to different events.

"It gives me the chance to spend time with friends and introduce them to people I have not seen for a while," Panagiotakos said.

But Panagiotakos, 53, said he has no intention of getting back into politics himself and he enjoys his time in the private sector. He currently serves as a consultant/lobbyist for Community Teamwork Inc., the Coalition for a Better Acre, Massachusetts Chiropractic Society, and the Major League Baseball Players Association, among others.

"I won't be seeking any elected office," Panagiotakos said.

However, his political involvement will continue later this week. Panagiotakos will join Lynch at Lynch's fundraiser Friday night at the Blue Shamrock in Lowell from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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